Running head: SOCIAL POLICY CHANGE

S.W. 4710 Part B. Social Policy

Submitted By: CJ9374
November 25, 2014

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Human Trafficking

Every 30 seconds someone becomes a victim of human trafficking. Human trafficking and exploitation
has been in existence across the globe for thousands of years, dating as far back as the 17th century and slavery.
From the ancient Greek and Romans to the medieval times, and up until today, humans have been subject to
various forms of physical and sexual slavery (Yong. P, 2011).
The United Nations UN defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer,
harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction,
of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of
payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of
exploitation (UNODC, 2014).

Human Trafficking is a monumental abuse of power perpetrated by the powerful and wealthy against the
most vulnerable in society. Women specifically account for 55-60 per cent of all trafficking victims detected
globally; women and girls together account for about 75 per cent. Moreover, according to the website,
Disposable People (1999) it is stated that there are more people in slavery now than at any other time in human
history. In its 400 years, the transatlantic slave trade is estimated to have shipped up to 12 million Africans to
various colonies in the West. Free the Slaves estimates that the number of people currently in slavery today is at
least 27 million. (Disposable People, 1999).

Human Trafficking Policy Alternative

Presently, in the United States one of the most popular human trafficking policies set in place is The
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act (TVPA). TVPA combats trafficking in persons, especially
into the sex trade, slavery, and involuntary servitude. TVPA has been reauthorized three times since its initial

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passage. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 is the cornerstone of Federal human
trafficking legislation, and established several methods of prosecuting traffickers, preventing human trafficking,
and protecting victims and survivors of trafficking. The act establishes human trafficking and related offenses as
federal crimes, and attaches severe penalties to them. It also mandates restitution be paid to victims of human
trafficking (Polaris Project, 2014).
I am in support of the TVPA Act, however there are several proposed policies that I would add to the
policy. The policy change will be implemented on the Federal level to ensure that all persons convicted of
human trafficking will be held to the same punishment as one who committed an offense in Michigan or
Montana. I would implement a collaborative effort utilizing a national database of missing persons and local
and state law enforcement to track high risk individuals.
Runaways, impoverished individuals and persons who are mentally challenged have a higher chance of
being preyed upon and targets for trafficking. This group advance may minimize the threats of those vulnerable
populations, especially when those groups are on law radars. Additionally, I would make it accessible that each
state must create human trafficking emergency shelters in high trafficking areas especially near semi-truck rest
stops.
Lastly, but most importantly I would impose a harsh penalty to traffickers. Once sentenced, traffickers
is mandated to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison without parole. This sentence is imposed to persons who
assisted in trafficking as well, more commonly known as accessory. Essentially, traffickers are no differently
than a murderer; in essence, a trafficker has killed many dreams, ambitions and hopes of victims who were used
as universal collateral in exchange for profit and opulence to individuals in power.

Human Trafficking Policies in Canada

According to Canadas public safety website, it is stated that Canada was among the first countries to ratify the
United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and
Children. Our efforts are guided by this Trafficking Protocol and seek to prevent trafficking from occurring,

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protect victims of human trafficking, bring its perpetrators to justice and build partnerships domestically and
internationally. To effectively combat this issue will require the involvement not only of the federal government,
but of provincial and territorial governments as well. And to be successful, governments must also work closely
with law enforcement, civil society and others (Public Safety Canada, 2014).

Canadas law states that: Every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals or
harbours a person, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose
of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment
for life if they kidnap, commit an aggravated assault or aggravated sexual assault against, or cause death to, the
victim during the commission of the offence; or to imprisonment for a term of not more than fourteen years in
any other case.
Feasibility
The proposed polices I would implement aforementioned is feasible. I do believe the mandatory
sentencing and collaborative national database can be enacted.
The Polaris group would be in support of the policy change. Polaris is a leader in the global fight to
eradicate human trafficking. Its efforts include: policy advocacy, global programs, and National Human
Trafficking Resource Center to name a few. Fortunately, in my research I did not find any opposing
organizations or groups against combatting human trafficking.

Economically, the cost of the amended policy would approximately cost 5 billion dollars. There
will be educational training as well as new human trafficking divisions that will receive 1 million funding to
implement the program which will employ social workers, psychiatrist, doctors and law enforcement personnel
in hospitals and police departments.

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Traffickers will be charged by seizing any assets he or she may have, monies recovered during the
trafficking bust and a fine of $10,000 per person accused of trafficking. Human trafficking is a very lucrative
business; hidden monies will be confiscated and reparations will be given to survivors who testify against
traffickers. Moreover, since I added on to the TVPA Act; it would not cost any additional monies to transfer the
original policy. Lastly, for labor trafficking; companies and agencies found guilty of using individuals illegally
will be fined of $100,000 as well as placed on a list of high alert. Once a third offense has been committed, the
company cannot employ anyone for a minimum of 10 years.

Human trafficking will be in the following governmental departments: Health and Human Services, and
Department of Justice. The Department of Human Services and Department of Justice plays a pivotal role in not
only helping survivors receive essential care as it relates to their stability and healing process but The
Department of Justice also serves as the main source to enforce the laws and policies against traffickers.

Social Work Values

My proposal meets social work policy values and goals because it seeks to bring to justice individuals
who have committed offenses against survivors. The policy also advocates on the behalf of vulnerable
populations including women and children. Moreover, in accordance to the National Association of Social
Workers (NASW), social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of or exploitation of any
persons (NASW, 2008). Human trafficking directly exploits, dominates and instills fear in individuals.

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Plan of Action

The plan of action to implement my proposed policy change would be to first speak with stakeholders in
different communities, as well as local social advocacy groups, law enforcement and politicians. Secondly, I
would perform a demographics analysis of the most trafficked areas. Thirdly, I would promote educational
awareness on human trafficking to spread the word about the impact and epidemic. Fourthly, I would take all of
my data collected and present it to the elected legislature official.

My allies would be policy social workers, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and social advocacy
groups. There may be an opposing viewpoints from some elected officials and assigned counsels may not be in
full support of my proposal because of the conservative sentencing of traffickers receiving a minimum of 20
years in prison without parole.

My argument for parties opposing the policy change would be that human trafficking survivors-whether
in sex trafficking or labor were coerced into a trafficking, deprived of any options, threatened and held captive
under their captives reign. For these reasons alone I would argue that under the Michigan penal code Act 328 of
1931 states that: person commits the crime of kidnapping if he or she knowingly restrains another person with
the intent to do 1 or more of the following: (a) Hold that person for ransom or reward. (b) Use that person as a
shield or hostage. (c) Engage in criminal sexual penetration or criminal sexual contact with that person. (d) Take
that person outside of this state. (e) Hold that person in involuntary servitude. (2) As used in this section,
"restrain" means to restrict a person's movements or to confine the person so as to interfere with that person's
liberty without that person's consent or without legal authority. The restraint does not have to exist for any
particular length of time and may be related or incidental to the commission of other criminal acts. (3) A person
who commits the crime of kidnapping is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or any term of
years or a fine of not more than $50,000.00, or both. Furthermore, kidnaping laws is a federal offense and carry

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a maximum sentencing of a life imprisonment; this along can be used against traffickers. Furthermore, this law
does not even touch on the fact that human traffickers rights were violated on multiple levels. (n.a., 2009).
Personal Feelings and Roles

Personally, I think the policy alternative may reduce the number of human traffickers in the United
States. Penalizing traffickers with stricter sentencing may; even if it is the first offense may serve as a warning
for individuals involved in the human trafficking enterprise. However, just like with any enterprise or businessto some people serving time in prison may not outweigh the risk of being potentially caught if millions of
dollars are in ones favor. Human traffickers usually take the risk because to some, they think they are invincible;
human trafficking is often as stated previously is a very strategic, hidden business if you will. People who are
trafficked blend in so well within society that to the public they may seem like ordinary citizens.
Additionally, I think that imputing missing persons into the database will not only provide us with raw data and
numbers who are at risk of being trafficked, but most importantly the numbers can also serve as a tool to
analyze other issues in society as well.
The role I would take in the change process would be as an educator. I am very passionate about
combatting human trafficking locally. Unfortunately, this social phenomenon is just as complex understanding
as it is solving. Human trafficking or modern day slavery as it is commonly referred as is not like the traditional
servitude of persons in shackles and chains. Presently, women, men, and children are being trafficked across
international and state borders every minute.
As an educator, my goal would be to educate everyone. I would attend schools, shelters, teen programs,
churches, university campuses, businesses, and let them know about the prevalence and the impact of human
trafficking. If people are educated on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of one who may be trafficked; it
gives law enforcement, human trafficking advocates and people alike more perspectives and leads on how to
combat human trafficking. One of my favorite quotes is by William Wilberforce, he once said You may
choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know. This quote resonates with me

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not only as a social worker, but also as an educator. It is solely my responsibility to educate communities and
systems on human trafficking, what and how they utilize the information is determined by the individual(s).

Final Thoughts

In closing, human trafficking has a new name but the vicious, continuous acts of enslavement still exist
centuries later. The advent of technology has allowed for different tracking systems to be created to share
information about the impact of human trafficking, resources and support for those interested. However, the
bigger question is how do we prevent human trafficking or at least reduce it. Its not an easy fix, and with the
policies currently in place I do believe the outlook for human trafficking will decrease over the next 10-20
years; there has already been improvements made with charging individuals involved in human trafficking. I
also think that media coverage has helped to spread the message about human trafficking to the masses as well.
Dr. King once said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Human trafficking has always been a
threat, but now it is a true attack on people lives not only domestically but internationally as well. The posed
policy change may be fictional, but the millions of lives being used as personal property for economic, personal
and business use is real. As a social worker, I will advocate for the many individuals who need their cries, pleas,
and voices heard.

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References
Bales, K. (2010). Disposable People. Learn The Issue. Retrieved from:
http://www.disposablepeople.org/Learn_the_Issue.html
Legislative Counsel. (2009). Michigan Legislative Website. The Michigan Penal Code (Excerpt) Act
328 of 193. Retrieved from: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(xufmkq55bnwuseiajkwqke45))/mileg.aspx?
page=getObject&objectname=mcl-750-349)
N.A. (2008). National Association of Social Workers. Code of Ethics of the National Association of
Social Workers . Retrieved from: http://www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/code.asp
N.A. (2014). Polaris Project. Policy Advocacy. Retrieved from: http://www.polarisproject.org/what-wedo/policy-advocacy
N.A. (2014). Public Safety Canada. National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. Retrieved
from: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/ntnl-ctn-pln-cmbt/index-eng.aspx
Yong, P. (2011). Rutgers University Campus Coalition Against Trafficking. Timeline of Human
Trafficking. Retrieved from: http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~yongpatr/425/final/timeline.htm